Build Norfolk wins regional construction award for third year in a row

Added: 20/10/2008
Category: Norfolk County Council

An initiative that seeks to help local construction firms improve and get more work has triumphed at the East of England Construction Training Awards for the third year in a row.

Build Norfolk, which is run by the Norfolk County Council-owned property consultancy NPS Property Consultants Ltd, was named Construction Client of the Year at an awards ceremony on Friday 10 October. The initiative has won the award every year since it was launched in 2006.

In the past year, Build Norfolk has helped small and medium sized companies in Norfolk win £25 million of construction contracts. It has achieved this not only by making sure local businesses are aware of what work is available but also by providing support to make sure they are in the best possible position to win available contracts. Almost 400 firms have now taken advantage of Build Norfolk's free membership and 65 per cent of these are currently receiving training and business support through the initiative.

And the success of Build Norfolk is such that new networks are currently being established across the region under the title 'Build the East', joint winner of the East of England Construction Training Award with Build Norfolk. This broader network will be supported by Build Norfolk's partners, including large construction companies, local councils, construction procurers and business support organisations.

Daniel Cox, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “Build Norfolk is a simple concept that is superbly executed. This pioneering initiative aims to make our smaller construction services companies as competitive as possible, improve the Norfolk supply chain and encourage local companies to work together. Build Norfolk will play an even more vital role in coming months as the economic slowdown continues and I would urge all companies in the construction sector in Norfolk to register and see how becoming a member could benefit them.”

Peter Weavers, Asset Management Director at NPS Property Consultants Ltd, said: “These are uncertain times for the construction industry, which is all the more reason for companies to come together and find the best ways of working together. The last economic downturn in the late 80s and early 90s resulted in a huge skills shortage in the construction sector for years to follow as workers left the industry and training dropped off. Build Norfolk wants to make sure Norfolk's construction companies are ready to respond to an increase in demand and that means putting an emphasis on training and skill-building now.”

Build Norfolk recently held the county's biggest ever construction-related careers fair at the Norfolk Showground, attracting more than 600 young people from Norfolk's schools and colleges and 63 exhibitors. Interactive exhibits included roof building, bridge building and plumbing and there are now plans to make it an annual event.

Other upcoming plans include a relaunched website at www.buildnorfolk.co.uk complete with a searchable database of suppliers and contractors and a careers section with work advertisements, due to go live in early November.

· Build Norfolk will hold its annual Construction Marketplace on Thursday 6 November from 3 - 7pm at County Hall in Norwich. The event will allow small and medium-sized construction companies to:

- Meet main contractors and their clients

- Find out about pre-qualification requirements of main contractors and becoming a supplier

- Obtain advice and help to become pre-qualified

- Get free help and assistance to develop your business

To register for a free place at the Construction Marketplace, visit www.buildnorfolk.co.uk, telephone 01603 223426 or email admin@buildnorfolk.co.uk.